Inglis 3YO Guineas: Midland realising his potential as a gelding after third straight win

The Midland story makes for interesting reading and is a reflection of racing’s rollercoaster nature.

Midland was an expensive yearling purchase, then there was interest from Hong Kong buyers before they rejected him, before the young sprinter’s form was concerning enough to prompt the decision to geld him.

But for trainer Kris Lees and his owners, there patience and persistence is paying off as Midland has struck a rich vein of form this autumn, completing a hat-trick of wins with a career-best effort in the $300,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The promising young sprinter’s rise through the ranks hasn’t been a surprise to Lees.

“It’s really good to win a feature race like this with Midland,’’ Lees said.

“Midland cost a lot as a yearling and he’s been a very nice horse from day one.

“But he was a touch immature and mentally wasn’t quite there so it looks like gelding him has done the trick. I think it has been the makings of him as a racehorse.’’

Midlands ($10) certainly showed admirable determination and a fierce will-to-win when he scored an impressive three-quarter-length win from the underrated Nicci’s Fling ($13) with Exoboom ($3.10) 1½ lengths away in third.

Favourite Prime Star ($2.15) was given every possible chance in the run but struggled from the top of the straight and ran only fifth.

Midland takes out the Inglis 3YO Guineas in a beautiful run with @brentonavdulla leading them in for @Leesracingpic.twitter.com/fw8ZNxx9JX

Lees said Midland’s unbeaten sequence of wins this autumn campaign are an indication of the young sprinter’s emerging talent.

“He was coming off a midweek 1100m win so to take that next step again was very encouraging,’’ Lees said.

“It was a lovely ride by Brenton (Avdulla) from the gate, he took his time to get across and was travelling like a winner a long way from home.’’

Midland, who cost $550,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale two years ago, had won only a lowly Taree maiden from six starts before he was gelded.

Lees said Midland, a son of former top sprinter Brazen Beau, is likely to continue his late season form surge.

“There was some interest from Hong Kong but they dropped off so now we are trying to get the money on the track – and he is getting there,’’ Lees said.

“He’s only had the three runs this campaign so we will keep trying to place him right in coming weeks.’’

Kris Lees was thrilled with Midland’s win in the Inglis Guineas. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Lees hasn’t ruled out sending Midland to Brisbane for the carnival, joining stable star Mugatoo who is due to contest the Group 1 Doomben Cup next Saturday.

Trainer Gary Portelli was left wondering what might have been after Nicci’s Fling ran on powerfully to finish second behind Midland.

“Nicci’s Fling was just held up a little bit,’’ Portelli said.

“I don’t know that she would have beaten the winner but she might have got a bit closer.

“She’s got black-type now and she’s won $60,000 for her owners so that will pay a few bills.

“She is racing that well I will let her tell me what she wants to do. I don’t want to put her in the paddock if there is a nice race for her in two or three weeks.

“I will see how she pulls up but we might try to find another race or two for her while she is going well and the tracks are wet.”

Hawkesbury Guineas winner Exoboom missed a top-two finish for the first time in his eight-start career but his closing effort for third didn’t disappoint trainer Peter Snowden.

“Exoboom ran well, he just had too tough a run with no cover the whole way,’’ Snowden said.

“The barrier beat him.

“We will think about what we do next with him, we might look at the Brisbane carnival if he pulls up well.’’

Originally published asExpensive Midland starting to pay his way

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